Tag: Golden Pal

Australian standout Nature Strip proved too good for everyone, including Golden Pal, in Tuesday's Group 1 King's Stand at Royal Ascot. (Image: Megan Ridgwell Photo)

Nature Strip Makes Winning Look Natural in Royal Ascot’s King’s Stand

- 3 min read

Nature Strip answered one question on Tuesday: who’s the best turf sprinter in the world. Now, the star Australian gelding has a history question to answer: will he run again Saturday in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, on Royal Ascot’s final day? After taking apart Tuesday’s Group 1 King’s Stand by […]

Golden Pal tuned up for his King's Stand duel with Australia's Nature Strip with this romp in April's Grade 3 Shakertown at Keeneland. He and Nature Strip headline Day 1 at Royal Ascot. (Image: Keeneland/Coady Photography)

It’s US vs. Australia in a Royal Ascot Rumble

- 4 min read

They’re not wasting any time in giving the well-heeled racing fans at Royal Ascot the meet’s main attraction. On Tuesday’s first day of the 2022 Royal Ascot meet, those fans get Golden Pal vs. Nature Strip in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes. Only the top North American turf sprinter […]

Champion 3-Year-Old Malathaat and John Velazquez made her 2022 debut with this resounding victory in the Grade 3 Doubledogdare at Keeneland. That was one of the highlights of a record Spring Meet at Keeneland. (Image: Keeneland/Coady Photography)

Keeneland Brings Home Record Spring Meet Handle Across the Board

- 3 min read

Keeneland enjoyed its third consecutive year of record Spring Meet handle, bringing in an all-sources handle of $219,284,979 for its just-concluded Spring Meet. That handle was the largest total in the Kentucky track’s history. The more than $219 million from the 15-day meet that ended Friday represented a 33.16% increase […]

Coming out of her victory in the Giant's Causeway Stakes earlier this month, Wesley Ward's Campanelle is one of the top American horses set to invade Royal Ascot in June. (Image: Keeneland/Coady Photography)

Ward’s Decorated Duo Lead an American Invasion of Royal Ascot

- 3 min read

Wesley Ward’s decorated duo of Golden Pal and Campanelle headline a 16-horse American contingent of nominees for this year’s Royal Ascot Group 1 races. A customary presence at the mid-June meet, Ward is one of four American trainers nominating horses to one of the eight Group 1 races. Graham Motion, […]

Golden Pal and Irad Ortiz Jr. won their sixth race in seven starts Saturday, blowing away the Grade 2 Shakertown by nearly five lengths. The two-time Breeders' Cup champion will run next at Royal Ascot in June. (Image: Keeneland/Coady)

Golden Pal Blazes His Way Past Rivals, Will Return to Royal Ascot

- 2 min read

Golden Pal first broke into the public conscience nearly two years ago when he finished second in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at a near-empty Royal Ascot. You could be forgiven for not noticing, considering not even Queen Elizabeth II made a Royal Ascot appearance. You’ll probably notice when Golden […]

Early Voting is one of three unbeaten horses competing for guaranteed Kentucky Derby berths in the Grade 2 Wood Memorial. (Image: Coglianese Photo/Chelsea Durand)

Cross Country Pick 5 Goes High Stakes With Derby, Oaks Preps

- 3 min read

One of the strongest New York Racing Association Cross Country Pick 5 offerings of the year awaits horseplayers this week. It presents an all-graded stakes sequence featuring two Grade 1s, two Grade 2s, and a strong Grade 3. And Kentucky Derby trail watchers, this wager is for you. Two of […]

Golden Pal, seen here winning his second Breeders' Cup title in as many years, is one of Wesley Ward's top hopes for a stakes title on Keeneland's opening weekend. (Image: Coolmore Stud)

Wesley Ward Rides Herd Over Another Strong Keeneland Crop

- 3 min read

Keeneland’s 15-day Spring Meet begins on Friday, offering a loaded weekend featuring 10 stakes worth $4.55 million. But this being Keeneland in the spring, many eyes are focused on just one stable. That would be Wesley Ward’s, he of the three consecutive Keeneland Spring Meet training titles. Ward comes into […]

French Derby winner and Saudi Cup winner Mishriff is the favorite to win Wednesday's Group 1 Juddmonte International at York Racecourse. The Juddmonte is one of three Group 1 events in the 28-race, four-day racing festival. (Image: France Galop/scoopdyga.com)

York Ebor Festival Opens With Mishriff vs. Love in the Juddmonte

- 3 min read

The four-day York Ebor Festival begins Wednesday at York, wasting little time in making its presence felt on the racing world. That’s courtesy of Group 1 winners Mishriff, Love, and Alcohol Free headlining the Group 1 Juddmonte International. That race, one of three Group 1 events on the 28-race meet […]

Golden Pal makes his 3-year-old debut on Saratoga's opening day Thursday. The standout sprinter is the 1/2 morning-line favorite in the Grade 3 Quick Call. (Image: Coolmore)

Saratoga’s 2021 Season Opens with Fans, Golden Pal’s Return

- 3 min read

The long-anticipated 2021 Saratoga Meet opens Thursday, headlined by a familiar name — Golden Pal — making his seasonal debut. The standout sophomore sprinter anchors a deep field of 3-year-olds in the Grade 3 Quick Call. That 5 ½-furlong sprint on the Mellon Turf Course is one of two stakes […]

Complexity made his victory in the Champagne Stakes two years ago look easy. He's a solid 2/1 favorite in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. (Image: Coglianese Photos)

Three Breeders’ Cup Contenders Worth Your Attention

- 3 min read

The Breeders’ Cup Classic, Turf, Distaff, and – to a lesser extent, Juvenile – are the Breeders’ Cup races everyone follows. That’s understandable, especially in a year like this, when the Classic is a virtual All-Star race and when the Distaff offers one of the best duels of all 14 […]

Fauci broke his maiden in his second start with this length victory at Keeneland in July. He faces two of his Wesley Ward stablemates in Friday's Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga. (Image: Keeneland/Coady Photography)

Ward Opens His Juvenile Playpen for the Skidmore Stakes

- 3 min read

Unlike many of his contemporaries, trainer Wesley Ward has no problem turning his charges loose against each other. This explains why you’ll see three of his standout 2-year-olds tangle in the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga Friday afternoon. The 5 ½-furlong turf sprint features Fauci, Golden Pal, and Sunny Isle Beach […]

Four times in her six-race career, Kimari prompted jockey celebrations -- like this one from Channing Hill in April. She goes for her first Royal Ascot victory in Friday's Commonwealth Cup. (Image: Coady Photography)

Fleet Filly Kimari Takes On the Boys at Royal Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup

- 3 min read

In the horse trainer word association game, Wesley Ward’s name usually associates with his wondrous work training 2-year-olds. That is, when it’s not associated with being the American in England – the primary American presence at the yearly Royal Ascot meet. Due to the coronavirus Ward remains in the US […]